Yooka-Laylee Launches April 11, 2017; Wii U Version Cancelled, Now Coming to Switch

Yooka-Laylee Launches April 11, 2017; Wii U Version Cancelled, Now Coming to Switch

Today, developer Playtonic, and publisher Team17 announced that its 3D platformer, Yooka-Laylee, is set arrive on PS4, Xbox One PC, Mac, and Linux on April 11, 2017 for $39.99 USD for non-Kickstarter backers in both digital and physical formats. Additionally, Playtonic also announced the cancellation of the Wii U version of the game, and in its place the developer has said it is working closely with Nintendo to bring the platformer to the Nintendo Switch.

According to Playtonic, the Wii U version was cancelled due to the encounter of “unforeseen technical issues.” However, as mentioned above, the developer is now planning to bring the game to Nintendo’s newer platform, the Switch. Further details about the Switch version will be announced sometime in 2017.

Playtonic added:

“The Playtonic team wanted to explore every possible avenue before making the very difficult decision to transfer development from the Wii U,” said the developer. “Our developers worked tirelessly over many months in attempt to solve our technical issues, but unfortunately it’s not been possible to bring Yooka-Laylee to Wii U as originally planned.”

Anyone who backed the project with a copy of the Wii U version will be able to move their pledge for free to any other version, including Nintendo Switch. More information about how this transfer process will occur is said to be coming in January.

The developer and publisher revealed them good ol’ preorder bonuses as well. If you preorder the game on PC, Xbox One, or PS4, you will receive an instant unlock of Yooka-Laylee Toybox, a self-contained, spoiler free sandbox demo. Playtonic went on to say it is currently looking in to ways to make the console Toybox available to appropriate backers.

Speaking of backers, Playtonic also said people who supported the game on Kickstarter should soon be able to upgrade their pledge to a physical version, saying that its the developers top priority to make sure physical backers receive their game as soon as possible and not weeks later.

If you plan to get the game on Steam or GOG, you’ll also be able to find special Digital Deluxe versions of the game, which include a digital soundtrack and manual/art. A price was not divulged.

Lastly, Playtonic also released a new gameplay trailer, featuring the brand new world Capital Cashino.

This glamorous, marble-floored playground has our buddy-duo navigating the casino floor, discotheques and oversized roulette tables in search of delicious golden bounty. But there’s a twist; players must now compete to win casino tokens, and exchange them with the banker for the pivotal Pagies!

As with all the worlds in Yooka-Laylee, players can choose to expand on Capital Cashino, to make its enviorment even larger and more complex, with whole new areas to explore, characters to meet, and challenges to beat. Playtonic adds:

Capital Cashino is just a hint at what’s in store for the final game. There are still plenty of secrets left to uncover…